Both days for the 2019 races sold out. Registration will open in October for 2020. Be sure to register early.

Join us for a weekend of fun and running on the beautiful trails near Fruita, Colorado. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with packet pickup and a dinner. Saturday is the trail marathon and 50K, followed that night with a racer party. Sunday’s events include a 10K, half marathon and kids’ races. Sunday’s races did sell out in 2018, so get in early.

We can’t wait to see you this April – hopefully with fresh legs and a powerful spirit, ready to start the racing season off right! We wish you all health, happiness, and smart training in the weeks to come!

Packing You should know what will bring you the most comfort by way of apparel, shoes, food and liquid intake for your race. We are capable of offering suggestions, and have a really amazing kitchen crew who understand racer’s needs, but you understand your body best.

Cupless In order to be environmentally friendly and cut down on the amount of trash we produce, we will not have cups at the aid stations. Please carry a water bottle, hydration pack or collapsible cup on the course.

Kids’ Events Bring the whole family! This year’s Sunday events will include a free Kids’ Race at the Start/Finish area. Registration will begin at 9:00a. After we see the ages and how many kids we have we will decide on age groups & distances (may be as long as 0.5mi for the older kids)

Packet Pick-Up, Food Truck & Late Registration Packet Pick-Up & Late Registration will be at the Fruita Community Center (324 N Coulson St) on Friday from 5:00-7:00p. Rolling in place of our usual pasta dinner, we’ll have the Spaghetti Mill food truck parked outside, offering a special meal deal for our racers! Our Race Directors and crew will be staying for dinner and it’s a great chance to get all of your questions answered. (If you’re unable to make the early pickup, we will have it available Saturday and Sunday morning before the races.)

Awards/Party The racer party for all racers and Awards Ceremony for the Marathon & 50K races will be upgraded for 2019! Join us at Civic Center Park in downtown Fruita for food, beer, and the racer award ceremony.

Men’s & Women’s winners of each of the four distances (50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K) will receive comp entries to next year’s races. There will also be $100 cash premiums at the 1.3mi mark of both days for men and women.

Customized cowbell awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each race in each of the following age groups:

Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+

Racers will receive customized dog tag finisher’s awards as they cross the finish line. Placer’s awards will be distributed at each day’s awards ceremony. Awards and mementos will not be mailed after the event.

Start/Finish Area and Parking The Start/Finish lines will be at the Hawkeye Trailhead of the Kokopelli Trail just west of Fruita, Colorado, at exit #11 off I-70. Turn South from the exit and proceed straight 0.5mi to the trailhead.

The start time for the 50K and Marathon races is Saturday at 7:00a. The start time for the Half Marathon and 10K races is Sunday at 8:30a.

Parking will be very limited and carpooling is strongly recommended. We may need to divert some traffic to an alternate parking lot. Please plan to arrive at least one hour prior to your start time to allow time for this, if required.

Your race number and packet will also be available at the Start/Finish Line beginning at 5:30a on Saturday and 7:00a on Sunday. Sunday’s racers can pick up their packets at Friday night, Saturday morning or Sunday morning packet pick-ups. Packets will not be available after race start on Saturday or Saturday nights.

Accommodations This year’s host hotel will be the Super 8 in Fruita. Call them today at 970-858-0808 and mention the Trail Running Festival to request our special group rate, base price of $73/night + taxes.

Weather Weather on the Kokopelli can vary. The averages for April are a low of 35 & a high of 66 degrees. We’ve had anywhere from 30’s with sleet to 80’s and sunny – come prepared!

Crewing Crews are allowed and encouraged at the Moore Fun and Troybuilt Aid Stations. Parking is limited; please be considerate of runners and other crews.

Crewing is permissible at the Crossroads and Pizza Overlook Aid Stations. Access is 4WD High-Clearance, and parking extremely limited. It is recommended any crew wishing to visit these sites park at the junction of the Hawkeye Road and Mary’s Loop, 1.1mi SE of the Start/Finish, and hike in.

Dogs We love dogs! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the Start/Finish and aid stations. Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on course with their runners.

Medical At each aid station, there will be radio contact available and all necessary materials to nurse any bumps, cuts, bruises, or blisters. The start/finish will have a medical tent and medics, including a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Aid stations will NOT have aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs.

Community & the Gemini Family We want to continue to improve! Look for a post-race survey we send to each participant. Please take a couple minutes to fill out the survey with both positives and aspects we can improve on.

Keeping in touch with our racers is important to us! We love to hear how everyone’s training has been, what races are on the horizon, countdowns to Gemini Events, and support and advice each of you give to one another for new courses/distances, adventures, injuries, & more.

Like us on Facebook for updates, news, advice, and pictures from the events.

Staying on Course & Leave No Trace Racers must stay on the designated course. Shortcutting will result in a disqualification. If you go off course, you must return to the same point you exited in order to continue.

Cryptobiotic soil is the foundation of desert plant life. This dark, knobby crust is made up of many different living organisms and plays a vital role in maintaining the desert eco-system. However, this soil is extremely fragile and can take decades to grow. Even a footstep can damage the crust for decades, having lasting impacts on the desert environment. Stay the trail!

Unforeseeable Circumstances In the case of unforeseeable circumstances due to weather or other extenuating circumstances that prevents the safe continuation of the race, race officials may end the race at any given time. This rule will be implemented in the most extreme cases for the safety of the runners or officials.

Lost & Found Items left at Aid Stations and lost & found items will be available at the Awards Ceremonies.

Local Laws Federal, State, and County laws and ordinances must be followed at all times.

Refund Policy 30 Days or more prior to the Event: 85% credit of registration fee (excluding UltraSignup fees). Less than 30 days prior to the Event: No refunds or credit given. Credits may be applied to any future Gemini Adventures race and will be valid for 12 months. Registered runners may also switch between distances. No refunds or credit will be given for dropping down in distance. If stepping up in distance, the added current pricing of the longer distance will be charged (excluding UltraSignup fees). To request credits, log in to your UltraSignup account, and go to Registration History. Select Edit for the event, and scroll to the bottom of the page where Cancel Registration is linked. Follow the prompts.

There will be no entry transfers.

Course

Aid Stations

For environmental reasons cups will not be provided at the aid stations.

The Marathon will be a single loop connecting the desert trails of the Kokopelli and adjacent trails. 50K runners will do an additional 4.6mi loop beginning at the Moore Fun Aid Station allowing runners to hit this Aid Station twice. The courses roll between elevations of 4,500 and 5,400 feet with over 3,400 feet of climbing.

Start: A nice warm up takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road. A 0.3mi uphill brings racers to an open area where there will be a course official noting a $100 cash premium for the first male and the first female to reach this point. A sharp left turn puts runners on the first single track of the day. Once on this section, it will be difficult to pass so find your place before your reach this section. Large rocks and twists bring you to a high point where you will stay close to the edge and enjoy beautiful views before the rugged descent down the other side.

50K Out & Back: After leaving the Aid Station, 50K runners will head down the road to Rustler’s Loop. Traveling clockwise around the loop, this soft dirt trail winds its way through gently rolling hills and wide open fields. After completing the loop, you’ll be back at Moore Fun.

Moore Fun: A short downhill will bring you to a rugged jeep road. It will take you up a gentle climb and descent until it connects into the wide, flat and fast section of Mary’s Loop. Head right on Mary’s Loop, going through some fun technical terrain with amazing views of the Colorado River, to reach Pizza Overlook.

Pizza Overlook: Upon leaving the Aid Station, you will immediately begin descending quickly. A narrow trail and big drop offs will eventually open up as you begin following the rim in and out of the canyons. On an incredibly picturesque course, this section is generally considered the most beautiful.

Crossroads: After a short climb, the course passes some intersecting trails and makes a couple of sharp turns (pay attention to the course markings). This will lead to the undulating, remote section of the Troybuilt Trail. This is the longest section between Aid Stations so be sure to carry water with you. A fun descent through a wash will bring you to Troybuilt.

You must make it to the Crossroads Aid Station by Noon. Racers over this cut-off will be directed to bypass the remaining course, proceeding back to the Start/Finish by the most direct route, 1.5mi on Mary’s Loop and Hawkeye.

Troybuilt: Leaving this Aid Station will put you on the steep, hot climb of the day. Eventually bringing you to Mack Ridge, this section will open up, once again following what some would consider a little too close to the overlook. A new section of single-track will make a sharp left turn and descend 2.8 miles to the backside of the parking lot and the finish line.

Sunday Course:

Runners head out the gently rolling dirt road for a mile until they take a sharp right turn for 0.3mi to the top of the hill. From there, the first Aid Station is visible and racers cross the cattle guard, staying on the road, and head down the steep hill to the Crossroads Aid Station.

Crossroads #1: Both distances will head out from the Aid Station down the steep, rocky gully for a short distance until it flattens out but continues twisting and turning. Runners will reach a “T” in the road where they take a left hand turn. You will follow along the beautiful rim for a short time before heading up a steep ledgy section to the Pizza Overlook Aid Station.

Pizza Overlook:

(10K) Take a left at the Aid Station on the rugged jeep road back to Crossroads Aid Station #2, then back over the cattle guard and to the Finish Line.

(Half Marathon) Travel on the open rolling section of Mary’s Loop until hitting the Wrangler’s Loop cutoff. Make a sharp left. Some sections will be loose or sandy but overall there is good footing. A nice decent will bring racers to the Moore Fun Aid Station.

Moore Fun: The trail becomes rocky and technical as it makes the big climb to the top of this fun section. After it levels off for a short distance, the trail will make a fun technical decent to the cattleguard. From there, you will go back the same way you came, down the short steep section to the dirt road and along the double-track to the finish.

Saturday Course:

The Marathon will be a single loop connecting the desert trails of the Kokopelli and adjacent trails. 50K runners will do an additional 4.6mi loop beginning at the Moore Fun Aid Station allowing runners to hit this Aid Station twice. The courses roll between elevations of 4,500 and 5,400 feet with over 3,400 feet of climbing.

Start: A nice warm up takes runners out one mile of gently rolling dirt road. A 0.3mi uphill brings racers to an open area where there will be a course official noting a $100 cash premium for the first male and the first female to reach this point. A sharp left turn puts runners on the first single track of the day. Once on this section, it will be difficult to pass so find your place before your reach this section. Large rocks and twists bring you to a high point where you will stay close to the edge and enjoy beautiful views before the rugged descent down the other side.

50K Out & Back: After leaving the Aid Station, 50K runners will head down the road to Rustler’s Loop. Traveling clockwise around the loop, this soft dirt trail winds its way through gently rolling hills and wide open fields. After completing the loop, you’ll be back at Moore Fun.

Moore Fun: A short downhill will bring you to a rugged jeep road. It will take you up a gentle climb and descent until it connects into the wide, flat and fast section of Mary’s Loop. Head right on Mary’s Loop, going through some fun technical terrain with amazing views of the Colorado River, to reach Pizza Overlook.

Pizza Overlook: Upon leaving the Aid Station, you will immediately begin descending quickly. A narrow trail and big drop offs will eventually open up as you begin following the rim in and out of the canyons. On an incredibly picturesque course, this section is generally considered the most beautiful.

Crossroads: After a short climb, the course passes some intersecting trails and makes a couple of sharp turns (pay attention to the course markings). This will lead to the undulating, remote section of the Troybuilt Trail. This is the longest section between Aid Stations so be sure to carry water with you. A fun descent through a wash will bring you to Troybuilt.

You must make it to the Crossroads Aid Station by Noon. Racers over this cut-off will be directed to bypass the remaining course, proceeding back to the Start/Finish by the most direct route, 1.5mi on Mary’s Loop and Hawkeye.

Troybuilt: Leaving this Aid Station will put you on the steep, hot climb of the day. Eventually bringing you to Mack Ridge, this section will open up, once again following what some would consider a little too close to the overlook. A new section of single-track will make a sharp left turn and descend 2.8 miles to the backside of the parking lot and the finish line.

Sunday Course:

Runners head out the gently rolling dirt road for a mile until they take a sharp right turn for 0.3mi to the top of the hill. From there, the first Aid Station is visible and racers cross the cattle guard, staying on the road, and head down the steep hill to the Crossroads Aid Station.

Crossroads #1: Both distances will head out from the Aid Station down the steep, rocky gully for a short distance until it flattens out but continues twisting and turning. Runners will reach a “T” in the road where they take a left hand turn. You will follow along the beautiful rim for a short time before heading up a steep ledgy section to the Pizza Overlook Aid Station.

Pizza Overlook:

(10K) Take a left at the Aid Station on the rugged jeep road back to Crossroads Aid Station #2, then back over the cattle guard and to the Finish Line.

(Half Marathon) Travel on the open rolling section of Mary’s Loop until hitting the Wrangler’s Loop cutoff. Make a sharp left. Some sections will be loose or sandy but overall there is good footing. A nice decent will bring racers to the Moore Fun Aid Station.

Moore Fun: The trail becomes rocky and technical as it makes the big climb to the top of this fun section. After it levels off for a short distance, the trail will make a fun technical decent to the cattleguard. From there, you will go back the same way you came, down the short steep section to the dirt road and along the double-track to the finish.